New series “How Green Is Your Candidate?” captures candidates’ opinions on a broad range of environmental and energy issues; special coverage includes fact sheets with extensive information

SEATTLE, WA—Grist (grist.org), the world’s leading source of daily news and opinion on the environment, today launched “How Green Is Your Candidate?” (grist.org/pres08)—a new and original series providing the election season’s first comprehensive analysis of presidential contenders’ environmental platforms and records.

In partnership with Outside magazine, Grist is interviewing presidential candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties, starting today with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Interviews with all of the other Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, are soon to come, as well as interviews with key Republican hopefuls. The interviews have been conducted by veteran environmental journalist and long-time Grist contributor Amanda Griscom Little.

“From energy independence to climate change, the Iraq war to Hurricane Katrina, the last four years have shown voters in startling detail how the environment is inextricably linked to the major social, political and economic issues of our time,” said Chip Giller, Grist founder and president. “Grist’s new series lets voters hear first-hand what and how the candidates think about these important issues.”

To supplement its candidate interviews, Grist is also compiling comprehensive fact sheets on the nine major Republican contenders and eight major Democrats, with video, audio, and detailed information on their platforms and voting records.

Who is Barack Obama’s environmental hero? What does Hillary Clinton think of Al Gore’s climate activism? What spurred John Edwards to come out with the most comprehensive energy plan? Who’s calling for a carbon tax? Who would ban nuclear power? Who enjoys the outdoors astride a horse named Sundance? Read Grist’s special series to find out.

Descriptions of candidates and their positions are not and should not be perceived as endorsements. Grist does not endorse political candidates.

About Grist
The nonprofit, independent, online magazine Grist (grist.org) was founded in April 1999, and over the past eight years has developed the most recognizable voice in environmental journalism: funny, opinionated, and intelligent. Grist offers in-depth reporting, opinions, cartoons, book reviews, advice, and a popular blog—all tailored to inform, entertain, provoke and encourage its readers to think creatively about environmental problems and solutions.

Each month, Grist reaches more than 700,000 unique individuals through its website and emails, and it has enjoyed particular success among readers in their 20s and 30s. Through syndication arrangements with other media outlets like Outside, MSNBC.com and Salon.com, Grist is reaching an even broader audience that extends into the millions. Grist has been featured in Vanity Fair, the New York Times, Newsweek, and dozens of other national publications. Grist earned Webby™ People’s Voice awards in both 2005 and 2006 as the internet’s best magazine.